moese



UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

AARON N. MORSE, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS BALLENTIN E AND G. MAXON, OF SAME PLACE;

INDELIBLE INK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,974, dated April 12, 1881, Application filed September 9, 1880. (Specimens) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AARON N. Monsn, of the city and county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have'invented certain new and useful'lmprovements in Indelible and Indestructible Writing-Ink; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and usethe same.

Heretofore the great difficulty has been in secufing a preparation of ink in which the carbon would apparently assimilate and remain in the solution any length of time without precipitating, and that would at the same time flow freely and smoothlyfrom any pen now in use. Carbon is practically indestructible, and I find that by the use of caustic potash and permanganate of potassium in the manner hereinafter stated the carbon will not precipitate, while in the use of the one without the other the carbon will precipitate.

The object of my invention is to produce an indelible or practically indestructible writing-ink. I efiect this object by combining a resinous or gelatinous substance with a solvent, so as to form a vehicle for the suspension and application of carbon, and in the manufacture of my ink I proceed as follows: Take caustic (stick) potash, (KOHO,) one and onehalf pound; pure soft water, thirty-six gallons; seed-lac, three pounds; permanganate of potassium, (KMnO one pound; pure soft water, 60 Fahrenheit, two and one half 5 pounds; carbon, finest quality, and commonly known as lamp-black, four pounds. First, make a solution of the caustic potash in with the thirty-six gallons of water; second, add to this solution the seed-lac and boil this mixture, stirring the same until thoroughly dissolved, andthen let it cool; third, dissolve the permanganate of potassium in the two and one-half pounds of water at,60 Fahrenheit, and then add this to the mixture and 5 again stir the same thoroughly; and, lastly, add thereto the carbon and stir the whole mixture thoroughly, after which it is ready for use.

The superiority of my ink consists in-the 5o facts, first, that it will always be ready for use without further preparation; second, that it will flow freely and smoothly in clear sharpcut lines or marks from any pen now in use; third, that it will not gum or deteriorate by freezing, exposure, or by lapse of time; fourth, 5 5 that it cannot be erased by any chemical process, and that itwill stand the action of the water; fifth, that it will not mold, fade, or blur by friction or by any exposure whatever; sixth, that it will penetrate the fabric upon which it is used; seventh, that it will not eat or destroy the fabric upon which it is used; eighth, thatit will not corrode the pen; ninth, that it will not offset on books, that it will dry immediately after use, and that it does 6 not require the use of a bldtting-paper; tenth. that it cannot be erased by friction without destroying the fabric upon which it is used; eleventh, that the writing in this ink, when subjected to dry heat of great temperature, can

be read when the paper is charred; twelfth,

that it will cling to the pen in large quantities and write evenly till all used without drop ping or blotting; thirteenth, that when used for writing upon fine tissue-paper it will not bluror run together, but will leave each letter so written clear and distinct.

Although gelatine or gun] can be used, I find that for all purposes seed-lac is the best.

I am aware that carbon is used in printers ink, which is mixed with oils, but such is not suitable for writing-inks; that it is also used in india-ink, but that this is also not suitable for writing-fluid; but I am not aware that all the ingredients of my composition, in the pro portions stated, have been used together.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- A compound consisting of pure soft water, caustic (stick) potash, seed-lac, permanganate of potassium, and lamp-black, in the proportions and substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in the presence 5 of two witnesses.

AARON N. MORSE. In presence of Farm J. J oHNsoN, JOHN OoMBEs. 

